Government issues reminder to TV channels to apply for fresh security clearance

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued reminders for television channels to apply for fresh security clearance for 10 years, by 26 December. The government of India last month set out the format in which applications should be sent by news and non-news television channels seeking Home Ministry security clearance to uplink or downlink and current affairs TV channels.

The companies owning TV channels will now have to furnish the details of the company and its Board of Directors (in four additional sets), giving details of the company/firm for whom clearance is sought. The applications have to be sent to Ministry within 15 days on its wensite mib.nic.in

The details required are of the company/firm for whom clearance is sought; names of firms/bidders, registered office address, date of incorporation, details of the Directors/Key Executive in respect of whom clearance is sought, name/parentage, date of birth, present position held and complete address including e-mail and websites etc.

The issue came up in October last year when MIB asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the expiry date of the security clearance given to broadcasting companies.

The MHA had replied that the validity was only for three years. The broadcasters raised concern and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) made a representation to MIB urging it to reconsider the decision.

The NBA said that the limiting of validity of security clearance will be detrimental to the business of broadcasters. The Ministry then wrote to the MHA suggesting that the security clearance should be made valid for the entire duration of the licence, which is 10 years.